UC Davis medal

College Awards and Scholarships

Students in the College of Biological Sciences are eligible for many different awards and scholarships that are made possible by philanthropy. Applications are open at varying times, and recipients are honored during an annual ceremony that coincides with spring commencement. 

  • Alden S. Crafts Scholarship
  • The Alden S. Crafts Scholarship was established by the Department of Botany to honor Crafts upon his retirement from the department in 1964. The award is open to students who are pursuing studies in the biological sciences with an emphasis in plant sciences. 
  • Alumni to Aggie Summer Research Award
  • The Alumni to Aggie Summer Research Award provides support for students participating in the CBS Dean’s Circle Undergraduate Research Program, and who are conducting research in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and/or biomedical engineering.
    Application
  • Alys Hay Travel Award
  • The Alys Hay Travel Award supports both undergraduate and graduate student travel, to allow participation in unique opportunities that include conferences, workshops, courses, and other academic or professional ventures that help advance their skills, knowledge, and/or professional network.
    Application
  • Barbara Horwitz and John Horowitz Undergraduate Scholarship in Physiology
  • The Barbara Horwitz and John Horowitz Undergraduate Scholarship in Physiology is awarded annually to an undergraduate student in CBS who is studying physiology. The recipient must have declared a major and completed at least 50 units of science courses that meet that major’s requirements.
    Application
  • CBS Dean’s Circle Summer Undergraduate Research Award
  • The CBS Dean’s Circle Summer Undergraduate Research Award is open to College of Biological Sciences majors who are in good standing at the end of their freshman, sophomore or junior year and conducting their research in the laboratory of a college faculty member.
    Application
  • CBS Distinguished Scholar Award
  • The CBS Distinguished Scholar Award is also known as the Outstanding Performance Citation. It is noted on final transcripts and awarded to graduating seniors who have conducted substantial research before graduation and maintained an upper division GPA of at least 3.5.
    Application
  • Charles and Nanci Cooper Undergraduate Research Award
  • The Charles and Nanci Cooper Undergraduate Research Award supports undergraduate student research, specifically for students with a declared major in the College of Biological Sciences who have an interest in gaining research experience.
    Application
  • College of Biological Sciences Medal
  • The College of Biological Sciences Medal honors one graduating senior in biological sciences for scholastic excellence each year. Only graduating seniors are eligible for the CBS medal. Applications are not required. Candidates are selected from existing award applicant pools. 
  • Debbie and Rick Yaver Scholarship in Molecular and Medical Microbiology
  • The Debbie and Rick Yaver Scholarship in Molecular and Medical Microbiology provides support to one or more junior or senior first-generation CBS students who are majoring in Molecular and Medical Microbiology in recognition of their academic achievement.
    Application
  • Dennis Walker Fund for the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory
  • The Dennis Walker Fund for the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory provides a stipend for one or more undergraduate employees at the botanical conservatory each year. Application are not required. Awards are given at the discretion of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory. 
  • Eschscholzia Learning Award
  • The Eschscholzia Learning Award expands access to hands-on research experiences for historically underrepresented students by allowing them to develop the skills and knowledge needed to address real-world problems, launch their own research projects and prepare for their careers. Inquire with the Department of Plant Biology for more information about this award and its application process. 
  • Gary D. Hori STEM Award
  • The Gary D. Hori STEM Award provides support to any CBS undergraduate student who is entering their junior or senior year and majoring in Biological Sciences.
    Application
  • Henry and Norma Hom Scholarship
  • The Henry and Norma Hom Scholarship provides support to first-generation undergraduate students majoring in the College of Biological Science. The students may be either first-year, upper division continuing students, or continuing transfer students.
  • Jack Major Memorial Award
  • The Jack Major Memorial Award recognizes excellence in the study of plant biology, and supports student field research in botany, especially in the areas of plant ecology, plant systematics, or plant geography. The award is annual, and given to either an undergraduate or graduate student. Application are not required. Awards are given at the discretion of the UC Davis Botanical Society.
  • Janice Ann Kolberg, Ph.D. Scholarship*
  • The Janice Ann Kolberg, Ph.D. Scholarship supports participants in the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program, and was established to build a more equitable world by empowering vulnerable students to succeed academically and professionally.
  • John and Jeanne Pryor Educational Support Award
  • The John and Jeanne Pryor Educational Support Award provides support to undergraduate students from Monterey County who are studying biological sciences at UC Davis and have the grade point average required to qualify for a UC Davis scholarship.
  • John Cuppoletti and Danuta H. Malinowska Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • The John Cuppoletti and Danuta H. Malinowska Award in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology provides support to first-generation undergraduates with a declared major in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.
    Application
  • Kathleen C. Green Scholarship in Biology
  • The Kathleen C. Green Scholarship in Biology is awarded annually to junior and senior female undergraduate CBS students. The scholarship was established to make a substantial difference in the lives of students with limited financial resources, but who demonstrate academic excellence.  
    Application
  • Kathryn S. Hinchee-Rodriguez, Ph.D. Award
  • The Kathryn S. Hinchee-Rodriguez Ph.D. Award is open to undergraduate students who are eligible for support from the Student Disability Center to enable and enhance their research opportunities. Inquire with the Department of Plant Biology for more information about this award and its application process. 
  • Katrina K. Hoyer and Shane G. Smith Family Scholarship
  • The Katrina K. Hoyer and Shane G. Smith Family Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who grew up in Shasta, Merced or Sacramento, demonstrate exemplary skills in scientific writing and are a major in the College of Biological Sciences.
  • Kendra M. Chan Award
  • The Kendra M. Chan Award provide undergraduate student research opportunities for students with a declared major in evolution, ecology and biodiversity and/or marine and coastal science within the College of Biological Sciences. Inquire with the Department of Evolution and Ecology for more information about this award and its application process. 
  • Kevin and Carol Brink Scholarship*
  • The Kevin and Carol Brink Scholarship is open to CBS students who are majoring in plant biology, with a preference for students who are the first in their families to attend college, and who have a demonstrated financial need.
  • Larry and Charlotte Mitich Memorial Fund
  • The Larry and Charlotte Mitich Memorial Fund supports field research in botany, especially in the areas of plant ecology, plant systematics, or horticulture. This support will be given in the form of an annual student award to either an undergraduate or graduate student. Application are not required. Awards are given at the discretion of the UC Davis Botanical Society.
  • Liliane D. Wells Scholarship
  • The Liliane D. Wells Scholarship provides support for undergraduate students who are studying plant biology and have a demonstrated financial need. 
  • Lois and John Crowe Scholarship
  • The Lois and John Crowe Scholarship Supports one or more CBS majors each year on the basis of academic excellence. 
    Application
  • Louise and Eric Conn Undergraduate Scholarship in Biochemistry
  • The Louise and Eric Conn Scholarship in Biochemistry is an annual award that is open to students at the University of California, Davis who are majoring in biochemistry.
  • Maud Wrightson Hinchee, Ph.D. Undergraduate Research Award
  • The Hinchee Undergraduate Research Award supports the CBS Dean’s Summer Undergraduate Research. The Award is for students majoring in and conducting research in plant biology. Although not required, this award has a preference toward students from underrepresented backgrounds in biological sciences.
    Application
  • Milauskas Family Scholarship
  • The Milauskas Family Scholarships are awarded to students in the College of Biological Sciences on the basis of academic excellence and exceptional promise. 
  • Morris Wong, DDS Memorial Fund*
  • The Morris Wong, DDS Memorial Fund supports first-generation students in the College of Biological Sciences.
  • Nieland Family Award
  • The Nieland Family Award supports undergraduate students in the Department of Evolution and Ecology. Inquire with the Department of Evolution and Ecology for more information about this award and its application process.
  • Raymond L. Rodriguez Undergraduate Research Award
  • The Raymond L. Rodriguez Undergraduate Research Award supports research opportunities for College of Biological Sciences majors who have achieved sophomore standing or above and have an interest in gaining research experience either over the summer or an academic quarter.
    Application
  • Robert A. Kucer Student Research Award*
  • The award supports one or more students who conduct laboratory research under the direction of a faculty member. The research should incorporate the biological sciences and be related to human health. Preference is given to students who attended high school in the San Francisco Bay area.

  • Robert Thornton Memorial Award
  • The Robert Thornton Memorial Award is given annually to one or more outstanding undergraduate students in the Department of Plant Biology with an interest in pursuing a career in a biotechnology-related field.
  • Robyn L. Smith Family Scholarship
  • The Robyn L. Smith Family Scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding incoming freshmen with a declared major in the College of Biological Sciences, a GPA of 3.5 or higher and a demonstrated financial need.
    Application
  • Ronald and Lydia Baskin Research Award
  • The Ron and Lydia Baskin Research Award is given to two graduating seniors for excellence in research in the biological sciences in any of the four colleges at UC Davis. Areas such as biophysics, biochemistry, biomathematics, and bioengineering are specifically included.
    Application
  • Rost Family Biology K-12 Ed Scholarship
  • The Rost Family Scholarship supports one graduating senior each year who graduates with a major in the College of Biological Sciences. The graduating senior must be committed to becoming a K-12 science teacher following graduation and has been accepted into a teaching credential program.
    Application
  • Roy H. Doi Undergraduate Research Award
  • The Roy H. Doi Undergraduate Research Award provides support to sophomore- to senior-standing students who are CBS majors and conducting research in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Preference is given to first-generation students who have a demonstrated financial need.
    Application
  • Stacey Roberts and Michael Lassner Award
  • The Stacey Roberts and Michael Lassner Award supports one undergraduate UC Davis student of sophomore or junior standing each academic year who is interested in applying modern technology to agriculture or plant sciences in its broadest terms.
    Application
  • Steve and Tammy Conston Scholarship
  • The Steve and Tammy Conston Scholarship provides support to College of Biological Sciences undergraduates who have a demonstrated financial need.
  • Undergraduate Student of the Year
  • The Undergraduate of the Year honors one graduating senior in biological sciences for scholastic excellence each year. Only graduating seniors are eligible for this award. Applications are not required. Candidates are selected from existing award applicant pools. 
  • Verne E. and Katrinka G. Mendel Scholarship
  • The Verne E. and Katrinka G. Mendel Scholarship supports undergraduate students in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior. 

*Planned future awards